Family holiday suggestions post GCSE’s and A levels?

[jenthehen]

Looking for a family holiday late June early July before the schools break up as my two ‘children’ will have finished their exams. We normally have a ski holiday and then stay in the UK for holidays walking, surfing and sightseeing etc. As we have the opportunity to travel out of main holidays for the first time in years we fancy something different, but no idea where! Would probably only want a week to 10 days. Can’t see them enjoying a pool/villa holiday but equally trekking round European cities would be my eldest son’s idea of hell. Any suggestions gratefully received.

South Africa - you can do loads with teens around Cape Town and along the Garden Route. Quad bike safari was a big hit with our DCs, eldest did the bungee jump off Bloukrans bridge, also climbing up Table Mountain, a cheetah experience, penguins, shark cage diving etc. You’ll be avoiding the main European summer holiday period, weather will pleasant and if you go animal watching they won’t be hiding to avoid the heat.

This summer we went to Japan which was amazing. The year before, summer after DD's GCSEs, we went to California focusing on San Francisco and that northern area. A couple of years before we also went to California but lower down nearer LA and into Vegas. We chose to do them as separate holidays as we were only going for a fortnight each time. DD loved all these.

Aragog have you used a particular tour operator for your trips or planned travel/hotels independently?

I generally book it separately.

I just use google and for flights I start with sky scanner, but then book via the individual airline website. Same with hotels and other accommodation - I start with something like booking.com but then look at the various booking options to get the best price.

Sometimes it can be worth paying a couple of £ more for a hotel on hotels.com as you get a free night for every 10 nights stayed, but always worth shopping around and joining hotel chain loyalty schemes to open up special deals.

Thanks for all the info.